il padrone wrote:Kayaking or rowing. Great for upper body work-out........

It's always good to balance things out. Cycling works the legs, so some upper body work like kayaking or rowing would be a good addition to the fitness stable. Both of those sports also work the core muscle group which will help support your back for all those long hours spent leaning over the handlebars

Any other activity that involves a changing landscape, distance and personal effort. In my book that's things like kayaking, cross country skiing or rock climbing.

However, of late, I've found that:a) sea kayaks don't take child seats;b) dodgy knees and 12 hours driving combine to be a great disincentive to XC skiing; and c) the nearest rocks to me are in western Victoria (Grampians/Arapilies) and they both scare me....

elStado wrote:Surfing/bodyboarding. Great fun and good exercise too. Just watch out for those sharks. :O

Surfing is not something one should attempt to get fit. You need to be fit for surfing. And past a certain age it is unlikely one would ever become even vaguely proficient at it.

Meh. Tell that to my former university lecturer. He's in his late 50s, started surfing about 5 years ago and now is quite good. Of course he's not as good as the young blokes, but definitely not a kook either.

Start small and go big! A larger board is easier to paddle and stand up on than a short board. A bodyboard is even easier, although difficult to bail off.

I see plenty of old fellas (50+) out at the beach surfing and bodyboarding every day. It's all about attitude!

I cycle so I can surf. That was the plan now I am just confused. But what a choice ! Last summer I got to ride to the beach 3hrs then surf for two hours perfection with vehicle support.Now I only need to fix my surf board to a bike and go surfing. My goal for this summer.

Board Rider

"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."Source Unknown

That is the only thing missing in WA. However, when I was serious about my skiing I used to do a month of "dryland skiing" in preparation before my annual trip. Thats applying correct technique to in-line skates on slopes. Very VERY demanding skillwise and absolutely tears the wheels to bits.

It's hard to find another sport that I can start to enjoy as I ride out the front door and don't stop until I've arrived back. Jogging may satisfy this criteria but it's hard on the body and don't get the opportunity to explore more distant places.

greyhoundtom wrote:I'm surprised that no one has designed and marketed a folding surfboard as yet to fit on a bike or in the back of a car.

Why fold.. when you can just bodyboard! They are lighter, shorter and more durable. My bodyboard is 41" long, compared to my shortboard which is 5'9" (and that is a very small board too) and weights a lot more.

Just a pity that I live ~17km from the nearest beach (with a few hills too).. I think even with a rack I wouldn't want to be riding further than 8km with all my gear (board, wetsuit, fins etc). It's not so much the ride there, as I usually head down at around 5am. But it is the ride back that would be a killer when you've been surfing for 3 hours and have tired legs already.

Really have to move to another place close to the beach so I can build one of these puppies and ride down for a surf.

The wife and I were holidaying Eildon/Bright/Hotham the other week and I got to push through the reeds of Lake Buffalo one day, and then get the bike out the next morning and climb Mt Buffalo for the first time, from Porepunkah.

This is a shorter sit-on, the N+1 yak will be a 4+ metre sit-in, clearly!

When I take a break from cycling I indulge in old fashioned walking. Low impact and can be done anywhere, no equipment needed. Definitely a simple, accessible form of exercise which if more people did it would have far reaching health benefits. If you want to get away, bushwalking is also great exercise and can take you places where few go.

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